Random stuff about Wellington since 2005

Review: The road that wasn’t there

Oliver de Rohan’s mother’s neighbours think she is going mad. Oliver is pretty sure she’s always been mad. She’s always been fanciful anyway, telling him stories of fairies and taniwha. Did she really meet his father in a paper world? How did she get there? How did she get back? What is really going on?

Framed as a fairytale book, each chapter contains another story until we are several layers deep. Oliver de Rohan, and Ralph McCubbin Howell personify different characters as we follow Elle Wootton (Maggie, the aforementioned mother) through her story. The mythical elements play off the real world elements until they collide in a satisfying manner. There are some lovely characterisations on stage. Hanna Smith’s puppets are brought to life by the actors. The sound design by Tane Upjohn-Beatson is integral to the storytelling as is the lighting design by Marcus McShane.

Featuring singing, puppets, shadow play, and a delightful sense of the eerie. What a great start to Fringe 2013.